Kelis Says Nas Was Physically Abusive, And A Few Other Shocking Revelations

Seems like people especially women are starting to become more and more comfortable with opening up about past life issues that they’ve dealt with.

(Madamenoire) In a new interview with Hollywood Unlocked‘s Jason Lee, singer and chef Kelis spilled a whole kettle full of piping hot, nine-year-old tea about not only what her relationship with ex-husband Nas was really like, but also what kind of father he’s been as they go through their custody battle.

And while one might assume she shared everything out of spite, the 38-year-old was honest about the role she felt she played in their issues, and laughed about incidents that would that make the rest of us infuriated. But not an awkward, misplaced laugh. Instead, an “I’m so over this situation that to hear what I’ve dealt with is laughable at this point” type of giggle. Here’s what shocked us:

Their marriage was, at times, a violent one.

Kelis admitted that the couple “lived hard.” They drank a lot, smoked a lot, and when the rapper would get very drunk, he had moments where he was physically abusive.

“It was dark. It was really dark,” she said. “There was a lot of drinking. A lot of mental and physical abuse and it got to the point where … I think, God is so good. Because being pregnant, I probably would have stayed longer had I not been pregnant.”

She was tempted to step forward and say something about the abuse after Chris Brown attacked Rihanna.

Nas and Kelis (Getty Image)

“I remember so clearly when the pictures came out, with that whole thing that happened with her and Chris Brown,” she said. “The only way I can describe it was like double Dutch. Do I jump in? Do I say it? Because I had bruises all over my body at that time. Like that day, I remember being in Atlanta and I was like, ‘Do I?’ And I wasn’t ready to walk. I just wasn’t. And so I didn’t say it. I’m really private! I didn’t want people in my business. I felt like, this is my partner, I chose this, we’re going to do this and we’re going to make it work.”

She still wants to take responsibility for her “part” in their violent relationship.

Getty Image

“We would fight. I never just sat there. But we would fight,” she said. “I’m 5’10”. I don’t back down. I’m extremely confrontational. So I take my part in it. I do. I take my part in it. I wasn’t perfect. Like I said, I never painted myself as an angel. I can be a b—h, I can fight. I know how to fight. I’m not afraid to throw a punch. But I wouldn’t have started it. I’ll participate in ending it, but I never started it.”